System and method for digital film development using visible light

ABSTRACT

One embodiment is a system for the development of a film includes an infrared light source and a visible light source. The system also includes at least one sensor operable to collect a first set of optical data from light associated the infrared light source and a second set of optical data from light associated with the visible light source. The system further includes a processor in communication with the at least one sensor, the processor operable to determine an image on the film in response to the first and second sets of optical data.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 (e) ofU.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/174,055, entitled Systemand Method for Digital Film Development Using Visible Light, AttorneyDocket Number 021971.0154 (ASF99286), and having a filing date of Dec.30, 1999.

[0002] This application is related to the following copending U.S.patent applications: Improved System and Method for Digital FilmDevelopment Using Visible Light, Ser. No. ______, Attorney Docket Number021971.0161 (ASF99324), and having a priority filing date of Dec. 30,1999; Method and System for Capturing Film Images, Ser. No. ______,Attorney Docket Number ASF00005, and having a priority filing date ofFeb. 3, 2000; System and Method for Digital Dye Color Film Processing,Ser. No. ______, Attorney Docket Number ASF00143, and having a prioritydate of Dec. 30, 1999; and Scanning Apparatus and Digital FilmProcessing Method, Ser. No. ______, Attorney Docket Number 24012-33(ASF98062), and having a priority filing date of Dec. 30, 1999.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] This invention relates in general to the development of film andmore particularly to a system and method of digital film developmentusing visible light.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] During conventional chemical film processing, several differentsolutions are normally applied throughout the development process inorder to produce a negative. Developer is applied to expose film toconvert exposed silver halides into elemental silver. The by-product ofthis reaction reacts with couplers in order to create color dyes withinthe film. The reaction is stopped by a stopping solution. Any unreactedsilver halides and the elemental silver present in the film layers iswashed out of the film. The completed negative includes separateemulsion layers composed of color dyes.

[0005] Conventional scanner systems generally digitize film usingvisible light to detect and measure the colors associated with the colordyes in the negative. Conventional scanner systems require that thesilver halide and elemental silver particles be washed from the film.The elemental silver particles will block, or occlude, the light andcause speckling used to detect and measure the dye clouds in thenegative.

[0006] In digital film development, after the application of developer,the developing film is scanned at certain time intervals using infraredlight so as not to fog the developing film. Color is derived from thesilver latent image detected during development by taking advantage ofthe milkish opacity of the elemental silver to optically separate theindividual layers. Once separate optical data is identified for eachlayer of emulsion, optical data associated with each layer of blue,green, and red emulsion is used to digitally create a color image.

[0007] Conventional digital film processing systems utilize infraredlight in order to avoid fogging the film as it develops. In particular,each layer of the developing film remains photosensitive to visiblelight during the digital film process. The film is not substantiallyphotosensitive to infrared light, which allows the silver latent imageto be scanned at multiple development intervals.

[0008] One advantage usually associated with digital film development isthe ability to develop film using a single application of developer.Digital film development does not require, for example, the stop, fix,clear, wash, wetting agent, and dry processing steps, nor the additionaldeveloper or other chemical solutions, used in chemical film processing.As digital film development primarily uses infrared light to detect thelevel of exposure of silver halides, the presence of elemental silverduring such processing may inhibit accurate detection of imagesrepresented on the blue, green, and red layers of film emulsion similarto other defects such as scratches and other abnormalities. This problemmay be particularly pronounced in detecting latent images held in thegreen layer of the film emulsion that is generally more difficult todiscern relative to latent images held in the upper blue layer and lowerred layer of film emulsion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] In accordance with the present invention, a system and method fordigital film development using visible light is provided thatsubstantially eliminates or reduces disadvantages and problemsassociated with previously developed systems and methods. In particular,the system and method for digital film development using visible lightallows for the reduction of disadvantages during film processing thatare associated with the presence of elemental silver.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, a system for thedevelopment of a film is provided that includes an infrared light sourceand a visible light source. The system also includes at least one sensoroperable to collect a first set of optical data from light associatedwith the infrared light source and a second set of optical data fromlight associated with the visible light source. The system furtherincludes a processor in communication with the at least one sensor, theprocessor operable to determine an image on the film in response to thefirst and second sets of optical data.

[0011] In a second embodiment of the present invention, a method ofdigital film development is presented that includes comparing a firstset of optical data collected during a transmission of infrared lightthrough a film with a second set of optical data collected during atransmission of visible light through the film.

[0012] Technical advantages of the present invention include providing asystem and method for digital film development using visible light thatreduces disadvantages and problems associated with previously developedsystems and methods. In particular, various embodiments of the presentinvention allow undesirable data introduced by the presence of elementalsilver to be removed or filtered. Additionally, various embodiments ofthe present invention present higher quality digital images byeliminating defects caused by the presence of elemental silver. Afurther advantage of various embodiments of the present invention isthat more detailed image production is accomplished without the need foradditional developers or other chemical solutions.

[0013] Other technical advantages will be readily apparent to oneskilled in the art from the following figures, description, and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] For a more complete understanding of the present invention andits advantages, reference is now made to the following description takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0015]FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of one embodiment of adigital film processing system that utilizes both infrared and visiblelight in detecting a latent image on a film;

[0016]FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of one or more filmprocessing stations that may be utilized to implement the teachings ofthe present invention;

[0017]FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic diagram of an additional embodimentof a digital film processing system that utilizes infrared and visiblelight in detecting a latent image on a film;

[0018]FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic diagram of yet another embodimentof a digital film processing system that utilizes infrared and visiblelight in detecting a latent image on a film;

[0019]FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart of one embodiment of a digital filmdevelopment process implemented using visible light;

[0020]FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart of another embodiment of a digitalfilm development process using visible light and the independentcollection of optical data associated with a blue layer of film; and

[0021]FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart of an additional embodiment of adigital film development process using visible light and the independentcollection of optical data associated with blue and red layers of film.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022]FIGS. 1 through 7 illustrate various embodiments of a system andprocess for enhancing the digital development of film utilizing datacollected during the exposure of the film to visible light and infraredlight. By utilizing visible light during the development process, adigital image is produced that is compared to data collected during theexposure of the film to infrared light. Such a comparison compensatesfor the presence of elemental silver during the collection of data usinginfrared light. In particular, following the collection of data duringexposure of film to infrared light, additional data is collected duringexposure of the film to visible light. The visible light data is thenfiltered using the infrared light data in order to produce a finaldigital image that does not include defects introduced by elementalsilver. Various embodiments of the described invention also introduceadditional processes of data collection and the filtering of suchcollected data in order to achieve further improvements in image qualityduring the digital development of film.

[0023]FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a digital film processingsystem 10 that utilizes both infrared and visible light in detecting alatent image on exposed and developing film such as a film 20. System 10includes an infrared light source 30, a visible light source 40, and asensor 50 coupled to a processing computer 60. In the illustratedembodiment, sensor 50 is positioned on the opposite side of film 20 frominfrared light source 30 and visible light source 40.

[0024] In the illustrated embodiment, film 20 includes multiple layersof emulsion such as a blue layer 22, a green layer 24, and a red layer26. Alternatively, film 20 may include any number of layerscorresponding to differences in image characteristics specific to eachof the layers. For example, film 20 may include layers specific todifferent colors or speeds, a particular grain size, or any othersuitable distinguishing characteristics.

[0025] In the illustrated embodiment, infrared light source 30 is alinear array of light emitting diodes (LEDs) used in combination with asuitable lens for focusing infrared light; however, infrared lightsource 30 may be any combination of one or more sources of infraredlight in any suitable combination such that a desired portion or lateralwidth of film 20, hereafter referred to as a segment of film 20, isilluminated by light originating from infrared light source 30. Forexample, infrared light source 30 may be a linear array of LEDsassembled in combination with one or more amplifiers and wave guidessuch that a predetermined lateral width of film 20 is illuminated at adesired intensity. Infrared light source 30 may be suitably positionedand oriented relative to film 20 and sensor 50 depending on film typeand processing conditions. In one embodiment, infrared light source 30is a reflectometer such as an ellipsometer.

[0026] In the illustrated embodiment, visible light source 40 is atri-linear array of light emitting diodes (LEDs) used in combinationwith suitable lens for focusing visible light; however, visible lightsource 40 may be any combination of one or more sources of visible lightin any suitable combination such that a segment of film 20 isilluminated by light originating from visible light source 40. Forexample, visible light source 40 may be a tri-linear array ofred-green-blue LEDs assembled in combination with one or more waveguides such that a predetermined lateral width of film 20 is illuminatedat a desired intensity. Visible light source 40 may be suitablypositioned and oriented relative to film 20 and sensor 50 depending onfilm type and processing conditions. In one embodiment, visible lightsource 40 is a reflectometer such as an ellipsometer. Variousembodiments of digital film processing system 10 may incorporate visiblelight source 40 and infrared light source 30 in a single device. Forexample, a broadband light source produces both infrared and visiblelight that can be sensed individually.

[0027] Different colors of light interact differently with the film 20.Visible light interacts with the dyes and silver within the film 20.Whereas, infrared light interacts with the silver, but the dye dyes aregenerally transparent to infrared light. The term “color” is used togenerally describe specific frequency bands of electromagneticradiation, including visible and non-visible light. Visible light, asused herein, means electromagnetic radiation having a frequency orfrequency band generally within the electromagnetic spectrum of nearinfrared light (>700 nm) to near ultraviolet light (<400 nm). Visiblelight can be separated into specific bandwidths. For example, the colorred is generally associated with light within a frequency band ofapproximately 600 nm to 700 nm, the color green is generally associatedwith light within a frequency band of approximately 500 nm to 600 nm,and the color blue is generally associated with light within a frequencyband of approximately 400 nm to 500 nm. Near infrared light is generallyassociated with radiation within a frequency band of approximately 700nm to 1500 nm. Although specific colors and frequency bands aredescribed herein, the film 210 may be scanned with other suitable colorsand frequency ranges without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

[0028] In the illustrated embodiment, sensor 50 is a linear sensor andincludes at least one lens; however, sensor 50 may be any other sensorsuitable for focusing light formed by the reflection or transmission ofinfrared and/or visible light from or through film 20. Sensor 50 mayinclude one or more sensing portions suitable for detecting the phaseand intensity of one or more wavelengths of light. Sensor 50 may beintegrated with infrared light source 30 or visible light source 40 in,for example, a reflectometer such as an ellipsometer.

[0029] Processing computer 60 is a personal computing platform andincludes a processor 62 and a memory 64; however, processing computer 60may be a microcontroller, an application specific integrated circuit, orany other processing device suitable to process data detected by sensor50 in order to construct, process, and generate a final digitalrepresentation of an image captured on film 20. Processing computer 60may be coupled to other computers and/or digital film processingstations via a communications network. Processor 62 is a centralprocessing unit and memory 64 includes both random-access memory andread-only memory; however, any suitable processor and memory in anycombination may be utilized as processor 62 and memory 64. In oneembodiment, processing computer 60 is integrated into system 10 as asingle system, such as an ASIC processor.

[0030] In operation, system 10 uses sensor 50 to collect data from film20. In one embodiment, system 10 collects data from film 20 at a singledevelopment time. Infrared light source 30 emits infrared light duringthe development of film 20 at a suitable intensity and duration in orderto detect the presence of silver grains in film 20. Sensor 50 detectsthe portion of such emitted infrared light that is transmitted throughfilm 20 using, for example, a lens to focus such light from a suitableportion of film 20 in order to collect optical data to distinguishoptical characteristics of such infrared light.

[0031] After data is collected during the transmission of infrared lightthrough film 20, visible light from visible light source 40 istransmitted through film 20 to detect and measure the light associatedwith the individual dye clouds in the film 20. In one embodiment,optical data collected during infrared scanning may be processed toindicate the optimal time for the emission of visible light. In anycase, visible light source 40 emits visible light at a suitableintensity and for a suitable duration for transmission through layers22, 24, and 26 of film 20 and detection by sensor 50. Unlike infraredlight, exposure to visible light will cause the remaining silver halidein the film to react, exposing film 20, and destroying the image storedon the film. Optical data collected by sensor 50 as the result ofexposure of film 20 to visible light source 40 may be filtered byprocessing computer 60 using optical data collected during exposure offilm 20 to infrared light source 30. Such processing allows for thecorrection of erroneous optical data introduced by the presence ofelemental silver during earlier infrared scans. Such correction andimage enhancement is further described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,266,805,entitled “System and Method for Image Recovery” and issued to Edgar,which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

[0032] In short, the infrared light detects the location and size of thesilver grains within film 20. The location and size of the silver grainsform a defect map that can be used to correct the optical data producedfrom the visible light. Accordingly, the combination of infrared lightsource 30 and visible light source 40 may be used to create twodifferent sets of optical data representative of the image fixed on film20, which are then processed in combination to remove any imperfectionsin the final processed digital image caused by the presence of theelemental silver particles. The final processed digital image may thenbe stored as an image file by processor 62 in memory 64.

[0033] Although FIG. 1 illustrates a single infrared light source 30 andvisible light source 40 located directly across from a single sensor 50,multiple light sources 30 and 40 may be utilized with multiple sensors50. In particular, and referring now to FIG. 3, a roll or other array offrames of film 20 may be processed using a film dispensing device 100that holds film 20 between two or more rollers, sprockets, gears, orother suitable fixtures, applies a suitable developer to film 20 andutilizes a suitable advance mechanism to advance the film frame-by-framealong a processing path 110. Path 110 causes film 20 to be routedthrough any suitable number of film processing stations 130.

[0034] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, multiple film processingstations 130 are utilized to detect infrared light transmitted throughor reflected from film 20 using one or more infrared light sources 30and one or more sensors 50. A following film processing station 130 orgroup of film processing stations are utilized to detect visible lightand/or infrared light transmitted through or reflected by film 20 usingone or more light sources 30 and 40 and one or more sensors 50. Each offilm processing stations may be coupled to one or more processingcomputers 60. Film processing stations 130 may be used to processparticular frames of film 20 in an assembly-line like process wherebyframes move consecutively along path 110 at indicated speeds and withsuitable pauses such that particular film processing stations 130adequately process images held on such frames of film 20.

[0035]FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment of digital film processingsystem 10 using multiple infrared light sources 30 and visible lightsource 40. In particular, one of infrared light sources 30 a and visiblelight source 40 are positioned and oriented as illustrated in FIG. 1 onthe opposite side of film 20 from sensor 50. However, two additionalinfrared light sources 30 b and 30 c are positioned on the same side offilm 20 as sensor 50. Infrared light sources 30 b and 30 c arepositioned and oriented in such a manner as to allow infrared lightemitted to illuminate blue layer 22 of film 20 and reflect off of bluelayer 22 such that reflecting light may be detected by sensor 50 andprocessed by processing computer 60.

[0036] In one embodiment, infrared light from infrared light sources 30b and 30 c is emitted at a particular intensity and duration after theapplication of a developer to the exterior of blue layer 22. Infraredlight reflecting off of blue layer 22 is then collected by sensor 50.Next, infrared light source 30 a is used to transmit infrared lightthrough all layers 22, 24, and 26 of film 20 so that light passingthrough film 20 may be detected by sensor 50. Finally, visible lightsource 40 is used as described in FIG. 1 to collect data on the dyeclouds of the film 20.

[0037] The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 has the advantage of beingable to collect image data for blue layer 22 independently of greenlayer 24 and red layer 26. By collecting optical data from blue layer 22individually, such blue layer data may be filtered or divided out, byprocessing computer 60, from optical data obtained via the through scanperformed by transmitting infrared light through all of layers 22, 24,and 26. As optical data from green layer 24 and red layer 26 is usuallymore difficult to distinguish than optical data from blue layer 22,improved processing of image data associated with such layers 24 and 26will result once data from blue layer 22 is eliminated fromconsideration. Such an advantage of distinguishing data from blue layer22 also allows an easier determination of when to begin the intervalduring which visible light is emitted by visible light source 40. Such adetermination is easier because now such determination may focus on theoptimal time for image data included only within green layer 24 and redlayer 26.

[0038] As described with reference to FIG. 1, the embodiment illustratedin FIG. 3 may be implemented by processing film 20 along path 110 usingfilm dispensing device 100 as illustrated in FIG. 2. Again, one or morefilm processing stations 130 may be utilized to perform the collectionof optical data for blue layer 22 using infrared light sources 30 b and30 c and one or more sensors 50. A second group of one or more filmprocessing stations 130 may be used to perform the through scan of thetransmission of infrared light through film 20 using one or moreinfrared light sources 30 a and one or more sensors 50. A third group ofone or more film processing stations 130 may then be utilized to detectvisible light transmitted through film 20 using one or more visiblelight sources 40 and one or more sensors 50.

[0039]FIG. 4 illustrates yet another embodiment of digital filmprocessing system 10 used to process film 20. In the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 3, infrared light sources 30 and visible lightsources 40 are used in combination with multiple sensors 50 in order tomore accurately detect a latent image stored within film 20. In digitalfilm processing system 10, two infrared light sources 30 are positionedon either side of film 20, one sensor 50 is positioned on either side offilm 20, and two visible light sources 40 are positioned on the side offilm 20 most proximate to red layer 26. In particular, infrared lightsources 30 b and 30 c are again positioned and oriented in such a manneras to allow infrared light emitted to illuminate blue layer 22 of film20 and reflect off of blue layer 22 such that reflecting light may bedetected by sensor 50 a and processed by processing computer 60.Infrared light sources 30 a and 30 d are positioned and oriented in sucha manner as to allow infrared light emitted to illuminate red layer 26of film 20 and reflect off of red layer 26 such that reflecting lightmay be detected by sensor 50 b and processed by processing computer 60.Infrared light sources 30 a and 30 d are also positioned and oriented insuch a manner as to allow the transmission of infrared light throughlayers 22, 24 and 26, the detection of such transmitted infrared lightby sensor 50 a, and the processing of such transmitted light byprocessing computer 60. Visible light sources 40 are positioned andoriented as to allow the transmission of visible light through layers22, 24 and 26 for detection by sensor 50 a and processing by processingcomputer 60.

[0040] In operation, infrared light from infrared light sources 30 b and30 c is emitted at a certain interval after the application of adeveloper to the exterior of blue layer 22. Infrared light reflectingoff of blue layer 22 is then collected by sensor 50 a. Then, infraredlight sources 30 a and 30 d emit infrared light to the exterior of redlayer 26. Infrared light reflecting off of red layer 26 is thencollected by sensor 50 b. Next, infrared light sources 30 a and 30 d areused to transmit infrared light through all layers 22, 24, and 26 offilm 20 so that light passing through film 20 may be detected by sensor50 a. Finally, visible light sources 40 are used as described in FIG. 1to collect data on the dye clouds on the film 20. The embodimentillustrated in FIG. 4 has the advantage of being able to collect imagedata from blue layer 22 and red layer 26 independently of each other andgreen layer 24. By collecting optical data individually from blue layer22 and red layer 26, such blue layer data and red layer data may befiltered or enhanced, by processing computer 60, using optical dataobtained via a through scan performed by transmitting infrared lightthrough all of layers 22, 24, and 26. As optical data from green layer24 is usually the most difficult to distinguish, improved processing ofimage data associated with such layer 24 and will result once data fromblue layer 22 and red layer 26 is eliminated from consideration. Such anadvantage of distinguishing data from blue layer 22 and red layer 26also allows an easier determination of when to begin the interval duringwhich visible light is emitted by visible light source 40.

[0041] As described with reference to FIG. 1, the embodiment illustratedin FIG. 4 may be implemented by processing film 20 along path 110 usingfilm dispensing device 100 as illustrated in FIG. 2. Again, one or morefilm processing stations 130 may be utilized to perform the collectionof optical data for blue layer 22 using infrared light sources 30 b and30 c and one or more sensors 50 a. Also, a second group of one or morefilm processing stations 130 may be utilized to perform the collectionof optical data for red layer 26 using infrared light sources 30 a and30 d and one or more sensors 50 b. A third group of one or more filmprocessing stations 130 may be used to perform the through scan of thetransmission of infrared light through film 20 using infrared lightsources 30 a and 30 d one or more sensors 50 a. A fourth group of one ormore film processing stations 130 may then be utilized to detect visiblelight transmitted through film 20 using one or more visible lightsources 40 and one or more sensors 50 a.

[0042]FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart of one embodiment of a digital filmdevelopment process using visible light as described in FIG. 1. In step510, infrared light source 30 emits infrared light through layers 22,24, and 26 of film 20 at suitable intensities and durations in order todetect the presence of silver halides in film 20. In step 520, sensor 50detects infrared light that has been transmitted through film 20. Inparticular, sensor 50 may detect optical data associated with the sizeand location of the silver grains. In step 530, visible light source 40emits visible light at a suitable intensity and for a suitable durationfor transmission through layers 22, 24, and 26 of film 20. In step 540,visible light transmitted through layers 22, 24, and 26 of film 20 isdetected by sensor 50. Again, sensor 50 may detect optical dataassociated with the colors associated with each dye cloud in layers 22,24 and 26. In step 550, optical data collected by sensor 50 frominfrared light in step 540 may be filtered or divided out from opticaldata collected by sensor 50 from visible light in step 520. By dividingout such optical data associated with infrared light, processingcomputer 60 may correct for erroneous optical data introduced into animage by the presence of elemental silver. As earlier described, thecombination of infrared light data and visible light data may be used tocreate two different sets of optical data representative of the imageformed on film 20, which may then be processed in combination to removeany imperfections in the final processed digital image that were causedby the presence of elemental silver particles.

[0043]FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart of one embodiment of a digital filmdevelopment process as described in FIG. 3 and using visible light andthe independent collection of optical data associated with blue layer22. In step 610, infrared light from infrared light sources 30 b and 30c is emitted at a particular intensity and duration to the exterior ofblue layer 22. In step 620, infrared light reflecting off of blue layer22 is detected by sensor 50 and optical data is collected. In step 630,infrared light source 30 a transmits infrared light through all layers22, 24, and 26 of film 20. In step 640, sensor 50 detects thetransmitted infrared light and obtains optical data such as the size andlocation of silver grains in the film 20. In step 650, visible lightsource 40 is transmitted through layers 22, 24, and 26 of film 20. Instep 660, sensor 50 detects the transmitted visible light and collectsoptical data such as data relative to the colors associated with eachdye cloud in layers 22, 24, and 26. In step 670, optical data receivedduring the transmission of infrared light as described in steps 650 and660 may be filtered or divided out from the optical data collectedduring the transmission of visible light in steps 630 and 640. In step680, optical data for blue layer 22 collected from the reflection ofinfrared light as described in steps 610 and 620 may be used forfiltering or otherwise to create final image data. In step 690, dataresulting from the filtering described in steps 670 and 680 may beutilized to enable more accurate processing of the images formed ongreen layer 24 and red layer 26 of film 20. Such improved processing oflayers 24 and 26 may result in a clearer more definite image that doesnot include erroneous data created by the presence of elemental silverin film 20.

[0044]FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart of one embodiment of a digital filmdevelopment process using visible light and the independent collectionof optical data associated with blue layer 22 and red layer 26. In step710, infrared light from infrared light sources 30 b and 30 c is emittedat a particular interval, intensity, and duration to the exterior ofblue layer 22. In step 720, infrared light reflecting off of blue layer22 is detected by sensor 50 a and optical data is collected. In step730, infrared light from infrared light sources 30 a and 30 d is emittedat a particular intensity and duration to the exterior of red layer 26.In step 740, infrared light reflecting off of red layer 26 is collectedby sensor 50 b. In step 750, infrared light sources 30 a and 30 dtransmit infrared light through all layers 22, 24, and 26 of film 20. Instep 760, sensor 50 a detects the transmitted infrared light andcollects optical data about the transmitted infrared light. In step 770,visible light is transmitted by visible lights sources 40 through layers22, 24, and 26 of film 20. In step 780, sensor 50 a detects thetransmitted visible light and collects optical data. In step 790,optical data received from a transmission of infrared light in steps 770and 780 may be filtered or divided out from the optical data collectedduring the transmission of visible light in steps 750 and 760. In step800, optical data for blue layer 22 collected from the reflection ofinfrared light described in steps 710 and 720 may be used for filteringor to create final image data. In step 810, optical data for red layer26 collected from the reflection of infrared light described in steps730 and 740 may be used for filtering or to create final image data.Steps 790, 800, and 810 may also be used in combination to performmultiple levels of filtering on the optical data collected during thetransmission of infrared light and/or visible light. In step 820, dataresulting from the filtering described in steps 790, 800 and 810 may beutilized to enable more accurate processing of the individual imagesformed on blue layer 22, green layer 24, and red layer 26 of film 20.This is particularly useful because of difficulty in isolating opticaldata attributable to the image formed on green layer 24 using conventionprocessing. Such improved processing of layers 22, 24, 26 may result ina clearer more definite image that does not include erroneous datacreated by the presence of elemental silver in film 20.

[0045] In an alternative embodiment, the infrared light reflected fromblue layer 22 in step 710, is used to contrast the image data for theblue layer 22. Similarly, the infrared light reflected from red layer 26in step in step 730 is used to contrast the image data for the red layer26. Accordingly, improved image processing may result.

[0046] Although the present invention has been described in detail, itshould be understood that various changes, alterations, substitutionsand modifications may be made to the teachings described herein withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention which is solelydefined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for digitizing developing film, thesystem comprising: an infrared light source operable to illuminate thedeveloping film; a visible light source operable to illuminate thedeveloping film; at least one sensor operable to collect a first set ofoptical data associated with infrared light from the developing film anda second set of optical data associated with visible light from thedeveloping film; and a processor in communication with the at least onesensor, the processor operable to determine an image on the film inresponse to the first and second sets of optical data.
 2. The system ofclaim 1 , wherein the infrared light source and the visible light sourceare disposed on a first side of the film and the at least one sensor isdisposed on a second side of the film.
 3. The system of claim 1 ,wherein the visible light source is operable to produce green light. 4.The system of claim 1 , wherein the visible light source is operable toproduce red and green light.
 5. The system of claim 1 , wherein thevisible light source is operable to produce white light.
 6. The systemof claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor is a linear sensor.
 7. Amethod of digital film development, the method comprising processing animage on a developing film in response to optical data collected duringa transmission of visible light through the film.
 8. The method of claim7 , and further comprising: transmitting infrared light through thefilm; collecting additional optical data from the transmitted infraredlight; and processing the image in response to comparing the opticaldata to the additional optical data.
 9. The method of claim 7 , whereinthe film has a blue layer, a green layer, and a red layer, and furthercomprising: transmitting infrared light through the film; collectingadditional optical data from the transmitted infrared light; comparingthe optical data and the additional optical data; and distinguishingbetween data associated with each of the blue layer, the green layer,and the red layer in response to the comparison.
 10. A system forprocessing film, the system comprising: an applicator system operable toapply a processing solution to the film to initiate development of asilver record and a dye record within the film; a scanning systemoperable to digitize the silver record and the dye record; and aprocessor coupled to the scanning system and operable to receive thedigitized silver record data and digitized dye record data and produce adigital image.
 11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the silver recordand the dye record are recorded as a single digitized image.
 12. Thesystem of claim 11 , wherein the scanning system comprises at least onelight source operable to produce light within at least a portion of thevisible light spectrum.
 13. The system of claim 10 , wherein thescanning system comprises at least one light source operable to producelight within at least a portion of the infrared light spectrum.
 14. Thesystem of claim 10 , wherein the scanning system comprises: a firstlight source operable to produce light within at least a portion of thevisible light spectrum for digitizing the dye record and the silverrecord; and a second light source operable to produce light within atleast a portion of the infrared light spectrum for digitizing the silverrecord.
 15. The system of claim 14 , wherein the scanning system furthercomprises a sensor system operable to measure the visible and infraredlight transmitted through the film.
 16. The system of claim 15 , whereinthe scanning system further comprises a third light source operable toproduce light reflected from the film.
 17. The system of claim 16 ,wherein the third light source operates to produce light within at leasta portion of the infrared light spectrum.
 18. The system of claim 17 ,wherein the scanning system comprises a sensor system operable tomeasure the visible light transmitted through the film and infraredlight reflected from the film.
 19. A method of developing and digitizingundeveloped film, the method comprising: applying a processing solutionto the undeveloped film to initiate development of the film;illuminating the film and processing solution with visible and infraredlight; collecting a first set of optical data associated with infraredlight from the film; collecting a second set of optical data associatedwith visible light from the film; and modifying the second set ofoptical data using the first set of optical data to produce a digitalimage.
 20. The method of claim 19 , wherein collecting a first set ofoptical data associated with infrared light from the film comprisescollecting a first set of optical data associated with infrared visiblelight transmitted through the film and processing solution.
 21. Themethod of claim 19 , wherein collecting a first set of optical dataassociated with infrared light from the film comprises collecting afirst set of optical data associated with infrared visible lightreflected from the film.
 22. The method of claim 19 , wherein thevisible light comprises green light transmitted through the film andprocessing solution.
 23. The method of claim 19 , wherein the visiblelight comprises red and green light transmitted through the film andprocessing solution.
 24. The method of claim 19 , wherein modifying thesecond set of optical data using the first set of optical data comprisesproportionally correcting the second set of optical data using the firstset of optical data.